THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

“I did not ask for military guarantees. They were offered me by Great Britain and President Wilson.” M. Clemenceau made this statement in explaining to the French Chamber what had taken place at the recent Downing Street Conference. He had found the atmosphere in Britain as friendly to France as could be wished. Lloyd George, he said, stated that the two countries must keep closer together and he replied that whatever happened they could count on the whole of France.

50 years ago

As fog and darkness closed in last night, a young Aberdeenshire pilot in a single-seater plane made a forced landing on a golf course in Fife. Gemmell Ross, 20, a trainee pilot, of Aberdeen University, was flying a Fournier RF3 from Sunderland to Portmoak, near Scotlandwell, Kinross-shire, for delivery to its owner. Around teatime, as darkness fell and mist rolled in on Leven, he was forced to touch down on Scoonie golf course. The plane was undamaged and Gemmell stepped out unhurt.

25 years ago

Seven-week-old St Bernard puppies Sam and Flame and their brothers and sisters are destined to win the hearts of owners after Christmas. For Kay-Dee Coyle, Gightyburn, big is beautiful because she and husband Danny share their cottage with around 20 of the animals, although most are puppies at the moment. The Coyles operate the only registered Scottish St Bernard Rescue Centre for dogs who are abandoned or belong to owners who cannot cope. At the moment they also have a litter of two-week-old pups.

One year ago

A fundraising campaign to build a statue to legendary Dundee United manager Jim McLean has been launched. McLean, now 81, managed the Tannadice side during its glory years, between 1971 and 1993, winning the Scottish Premier Division title in 1982-83 and turning the side into one of Europe’s most feared outfits during the 1980s. Now supporters are seeking to raise £70,000 to immortalise McLean in statue form. Scottish sculptor Alan Herriot has been asked to create the statue.